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Assessing the Health of Washington's Cities and Towns

• Executive Summary (pdf, 589 kb)
• State of the Cities 2005 Report (pdf, 631 kb)

As part of ongoing efforts to support Washington’s cities and towns, the Association of Washington Cities has completed an extensive analysis of the current health of our local communities. The State of the Cities 2005 is based on a survey completed by three-fourths of Washington’s cities and towns, representing 94% of the municipal population.

The report is the first of its kind for Washington’s cities. Instead of reporting data by regions, the study takes a refreshing look at common city characteristics, including size, resident income, commercial activity and growth. Washington’s 281 cities and towns are diverse, and the report underscores major differences and similarities in community conditions, fiscal resources and constraints.

The report identified the following key challenges for Washington’s cities and towns:

• Community economic conditions deteriorated after the 1990s – some turned
  from bad to worse.
• Cities’ ability to provide local services followed the same pattern.
• Transportation improvements are at a standstill.
• Cities are falling behind on other basic infrastructure needs.
• Dwindling resources are limiting cities’ ability to invest in economic
  development.

Strong Washington Cities, Working Together,
Strengthening Our Economy, Preserving Our Quality of Life

This report is offered as a starting point for discussions with the state and other partners in providing services to Washington’s citizens. AWC intends to use the report to help the Legislature identify critical assistance needs for cities and opportunities for partnerships that benefit everyone. We’re also using the report to help cities pinpoint strategies and partners to help themselves.

As a state, we face a critical choice. Will we watch the health of our cities continue to decline, or will we invest in our cities and help restore the economic potential of our entire state?

Together we can meet the challenges of the future and help grow a healthy economy and quality of life for all of Washington State.

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State of the Cities © 2005 Association of Washington Cities